(PDF Version Here) Eric Zilber[*] TABLE OF CONTENTS[†] Introduction COVID-19 Background The Challenges Facing the NBA Initial Planning The “Bubble” Emerges as a Front-Runner “Bubble” Plans Solidify and the Protocols Phase One Phase Two Phase Three Phase Three-A Phase Four Phase Five Phase Six Conclusion Exhibit A – Spread of COVID-19 Exhibit B – ESPN […]
By: Connor Oniki Clay Allen is the chief lawyer for the Houston Rockets, one of the NBA’s 30 member clubs. I had the incredible opportunity to meet and learn from Clay. Among other things, he discussed his background and his work with the Rockets, while providing advice for future sports lawyers. He also expressed the
For the third time this year, the NBA and NBPA have extended the deadline for either side to opt-out and give 45-day notice to terminate the CBA. This time, the deadline has been pushed to October 30. The current CBA was established in 2016 and was set to run seven years, with the opportunity to
After Utah Jazz Center Rudy Gobert tested positive for the novel coronavirus known as COVID-19, the National Basketball Association (NBA) suspended its 2019-20 season indefinitely. The move has major implications for the league’s broadcast partners, who stand to lose a serious amount of advertising revenue without games to air. Having no NBA games also undercuts
After pleading guilty in 2007 to conspiracy to commit wire fraud and transmit gambling information, former NBA referee Tim Donaghy is back in the news. In an in-depth report, ESPN analyzed the games Donaghy officiated and interviewed his co-conspirators. The findings reveal that Donaghy did more than just bet on the games he worked – he
Since superstar LeBron James left the Cleveland Cavaliers for the Los Angeles Lakers this past summer, the Cavs have been in a steep nose dive. Most recently, former assistant coach James Boylan (63 years old) filed an age discrimination suit in Ohio county court after the Cavs exercised their right not to extend Boylan’s contract
On Tuesday, February 27, a 2-1 split Ninth Circuit panel rejected a copyright suit against Nike Inc. alleging the athletic company’s “Jumpman” logo infringed on a photographer’s copyright. The court ruled that the logo was not substantially similar enough to Jacobus Rentmeester’s photo of Jordan from a 1984 issue of LIFE magazine. Rentmeester originally had
In the latest tax reform proposal, private activity bonds – a standard tool to finance stadium construction for decades – have been placed on the chopping block. House Republicans released proposed tax reforms that would eliminate private activity bonds. Interest earned on private activity municipal bonds is tax exempt. It is estimated that the government
On October 30, Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf signed House Bill 271, a gaming expansion bill that legalizes, among other things, online sports betting in Pennsylvania. Wolf’s signature comes a week after the state legislature passed the bill, which legalizes and regulates daily fantasy sports, online gambling, and sports betting. The bill includes a steep 36%
Former National Basketball Association (“NBA”) Commissioner David Stern has announced that he believes marijuana should be removed from the NBA’s banned substances list. In a documentary for the online sports programming network Uninterrupted, Stern speaks with former NBA player Al Harrington about the medicinal value of marijuana in the league. During the conversation, Stern tells
Apparently the turmoil embroiling by the Los Angeles Lakers doesn’t just stay on the court. As reported by the Los Angeles Times, a bitter family feud rages behind the scenes over control of the legendary franchise. On March 3rd, 2017, part owner and President of the Los Angeles Lakers, Jeanie Buss, was granted a
